Jamaat-e-Islami and seven like-minded parties began their rally around 2:05pm today at Dhaka's Purana Paltan intersection, pressing for their five-point demand, which includes giving a legal basis to the July National Charter and holding the next national election under a proportional representation (PR) system.

The programme began with a recitation from the Quran, after which Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad declared the start of the rally.

Earlier in the day, leaders and activists started gathering at the Purana Paltan intersection for the joint rally of eight like-minded parties -- including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh -- that are waging a simultaneous movement to press home their demands.

The rally, part of the second-day programme in the fifth phase of their ongoing movement, was scheduled to begin at 2:00pm.

Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and other central leaders of the eight parties are expected to address the rally, which is being presided over by Islami Andolon Bangladesh Ameer and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim.

An improvised stage has been set up on two trucks on the south side of the intersection, while volunteers are working to keep traffic moving on adjacent roads.

Party activists have already filled the surrounding streets, chanting slogans and waving party flags, symbols, and placards.

The interim government's seven-day deadline for political parties to reach a consensus on the timing of the referendum on implementing the July National Charter expired yesterday.

Neither the government nor the parties have reported any progress towards an understanding during this period, and no initiative to sit together for talks has been visible either.

According to Jamaat leaders, the party had tried to reach out to the BNP for discussions but did not receive any response.

Over the past week, neither side has shown any sign of softening its stance. Jamaat, which joined hands with other religion-based parties in November to demand a referendum, has warned that it may be forced to "bend fingers" if necessary.

Against this backdrop, Hamidur Rahman Azad earlier announced that today's rally would draw hundreds of thousands of people.

The eight parties held a preparatory meeting yesterday afternoon at the Islami Andolon Bangladesh central office to finalise arrangements for the rally. After the meeting, Azad told reporters that the rally aims to send a "clear message" to the government.

"Not thousands, but hundreds of thousands of people will join the rally," he said.

The other parties in the simultaneous movement are Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Nezame Islam Party, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA), and the Bangladesh Development Party.